Strawbridge R, Kerr-Gaffney J, Bessa G, Loschi G, Freitas HLO, Pires H, Cousins DA, Juruena MF, Young AH. Identifying the neuropsychiatric health effects of low-dose lithium interventions: A systematic review.
Neurosci Biobehav Rev 2023;
144:104975. [PMID:
36436738 DOI:
10.1016/j.neubiorev.2022.104975]
[Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/21/2022] [Revised: 11/21/2022] [Accepted: 11/22/2022] [Indexed: 11/25/2022]
Abstract
BACKGROUND
Lithium is widely evidenced for its neuropsychiatric benefits. Advantages of 'sub-therapeutic' doses are increasingly being reported, which is apposite given enduring concerns around adverse effects of 'therapeutic' doses. We aimed to synthesise all available evidence from interventional studies investigating low-dose lithium (LDL) across neuropsychiatric outcomes.
METHODS
Electronic databases were systematically searched to include studies where a group of adult humans were treated with LDL (∼serum level ≤0.6 mmol/L), where data describing a neuropsychiatric outcome were reported either before and after treatment, and/or between lithium and a comparator.
RESULTS
18 articles were examined and grouped according to outcome domain (cognition, depression, mania, and related constructs e.g., suicidality). Significant benefits (versus placebo) were identified for attenuating cognitive decline, and potentially as an adjunctive therapy for people with depression/mania. Across studies, LDL was reported to be safe.
CONCLUSIONS
Despite the paucity and heterogeneity of studies, LDL's apparent pro-cognitive effects and positive safety profile open promising avenues in the fields of neurodegeneration, and augmentation in affective disorders. We urge future examinations of LDL's potential to prevent cognitive/affective syndromes.
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